In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Morocco secured a convincing 3-0 win over Tanzania in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. The "Atlas Lions," considered pre-tournament favorites, demonstrated their prowess on the field, giving their supporters a promising start to the competition.
The match saw Romain Saïss opening the scoring in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after Aishi Manula saved Hakim Ziyech's free kick from just outside the penalty area. Despite facing initial resistance from the "Taifa Stars," Morocco maintained control and asserted their dominance.
The turning point came in the 70th minute when Tanzanian player Novatus Miroshi received his second yellow card, resulting in a red card and a significant setback for his team. Miroshi became the third player to be shown a red card in the tournament, leaving Tanzania with a numerical disadvantage.
Azzedine Ounahi sealed the victory for Morocco seven minutes later, executing a well-coordinated one-two with Amine Adli and delivering a precise low shot inside the left post. The celebrations, however, reached a momentary hiccup when Youssef En-Nesyri's goal in the 80th minute was initially ruled offside. The VAR check eventually confirmed his onside position, prompting jubilant celebrations among En-Nesyri's teammates and fans.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We're happy because you always have to start well." He emphasized the importance of a strong start in the competition and highlighted the team's versatility in both attacking and defensive play.
The victory places Morocco in a favorable position in the tournament, adding pressure to other prominent teams like Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Algeria, who faced setbacks in their opening matches. With only the top two teams from each group guaranteed a spot in the knockout stage, every win is crucial.
Regragui acknowledged the challenges posed by the playing conditions in Ivory Coast, emphasizing the role of temperature and humidity in the competition. He noted the team's adaptability and emphasized the need to manage efforts and possession effectively as they progress in the tournament.
Morocco's opening win sets a positive tone for the team and its supporters, and the focus now shifts to sustaining this momentum in the upcoming matches. As the tournament unfolds, fans eagerly await more thrilling performances and unpredictable outcomes on the road to Africa Cup of Nations glory.